Reno project kicks off at Camp Kindle

CTV Calgary and Albi Renova kicked off Operation Renovation on Monday and this year’s project is a kid’s cancer camp northwest of the city.

Camp Kindle is west of Water Valley in the Rocky Mountain Forest Reserve and is an escape for children who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families.

The camp has bunkhouses, a music hall, craft cottage, a barn and stable that the kids can call home during their stay.

The camp is well loved and in need of a little TLC. In one of the buildings, the kitchen and living room area are in need of a major makeover.

Volunteers from CTV and Albi hauled out their tools and started work on the camp on Monday morning.

"When I came out here this morning they said, are you here just to hang out or to work?, and I said no I'm here to work, so they gave me the worst job ha ha," said CTV Calgary Anchor Tara Nelson.

Albi Renova worked out a plan to transform the space and crews spent the day ripping out the old kitchen.

"We know the Kids Cancer Care Foundation is just unbelievable, they do so much stuff for the community and kids in general, and that's one of our focuses. It always has to be about children for us," said Brian Maurer from Albi Renova.

The volunteers will renovate the camp over the next five days and plans also include a new family room with a fireplace.

Over 500 children spent time at the camp this summer and they are also excited about the changes and makeover.

The renovation will be complete by the end of September.

Camp Kindle also plans to rent out the space for corporate retreats, which will help generate some much needed revenue for the camp's many programs.